Teaching Kids to Pray - Living the Domestic Church
/By: Nadine Fetherston
We know that fostering & growing a loving relationship with God is essential
We teach our kids how to ride a bike, how to read and how to tie their shoelaces, but what about prayer? How do we teach kids to feel more natural in conversing with God, just as they would with a trusted friend, parent, or caregiver?
As with other gifts, some children are very natural with prayer, and it comes easily for them. With others, using an approach where prayer is separated into parts, helps children to understand some components that may be included in a prayer, such as: addressing God, thanksgiving, confession, supplication, and conclusion.
With our own children, we began to teach prayer in little steps. We brainstormed together with them by thinking of some of the names we could use to address God with. For example: Jesus, God, Lord, Father, Shepherd, Abba, etc. Any time we began a prayer we could begin this way, “Dear Father” or “Lord God”.
A grateful heart is glory to God!
We discussed beginning the prayer by thinking about what they are grateful for (thanksgiving). This is a beautiful way to begin a prayer, from a heart of gratitude (another wonderful skill for children to learn)! We encouraged our kids to focus on the specific things they are grateful for in that day. This helps to center and quiet their minds to reflect on the gifts that God has given that day. Sometimes, kids need help to see the small things (a sunny day, a play date with a friend, a visit from grandma or a good mark on a test). Help them to see that God is present in the ordinary and in difficult moments too!
We may also encourage children to think about what they are sorry for in their day (confession). We all make mistakes and taking a moment to acknowledge in what ways we can do better each day helps us to grow. Remind them that silence is ok while they take time to reflect on their day. Sometimes a gentle reminder if they cannot think of anything may help to get started. They may recall a fight with a sibling or a hurtful word to a friend. Remind them that God always forgives us and wants us to keep trying.
We then end the prayer by asking God for what we need or want and to pray for others as well (supplication and conclusion).
We took some time to brainstorm in advance some of the people and situations/events that we could pray for and made a list. This included: praying for our family, our church, priests, bishops and Pope, their teachers and coaches, the poor (including our sponsored child), friends/family who do not know Jesus, the sick and those who have died. We decided to write down a simple list of intentions for each day of the week, so that for example, on Tuesday, they knew it was time to pray specifically for their friends and family members.
Prayer is a life skill!
While our children pray this way before bed as a great way to reflect on the day’s blessings and needs, it is good for children to understand that prayers can be at any time during the day and may be short and informal as well.
God hears us in all prayer, short and long, formal, and informal. Taking the time to meet God whenever and wherever is always what is most important!
